Erosion & Sediment Control

Tractors clearing out an area in preperation for future building

UPDATE: NEW Guarantee/Security Requirements

Beginning February 20, 2025, all guarantee/security requests will require the applicant to use the Town's cost estimate worksheet. The worksheet is linked within the Guarantee/Security application in GeoCivix.

Beginning November 26, 2024, all guarantee/security requests will have a fee imposed. A $50 fee will be due when submitting the guarantee/security application. A $100 fee will be due each time a reduction, release, or replacement is requested. For more information, please refer to the Bond Overview or email Jessica Watkins

Erosion Program Overview

A Land Disturbance Permit is required for all land-disturbing of .50 acre (21,780 square feet) or more in surface area, including individual residences, in addition to NCG01 coverage. The Town may require a Land Disturbance Permit for activities that are less than .50 acre where sediment control measures are needed to protect against off-site damages. 

When a Land Disturbance Permit is required, an Erosion & Sediment Control Financial Security must be submitted to the Town for temporary erosion, sedimentation and stormwater control. The Erosion & Sediment Control Financial Security is to be 125% of the cost to maintain, repair and remove all erosion control measures. Additional information on financial securities can be found in the Unified Development Ordinance under Chapter 12.2.

Development Requirements

For developments, the Town of Wake Forest Land Disturbance Permit is applied for & generated during the Construction Plan review. All Land Disturbance Permit Fees must be paid during the Construction Plan review. Proof of NCG01 coverage and an ESC Financial Security must be submitted before a pre-construction meeting will be scheduled. To apply for an ESC Financial security, please submit an IDT application by selecting Submit New Planning Application > Guarantee/Security. 

Minimal submittal requirements include the Financial Responsibility Form, site plan and erosion control details, plot plan, calculations for any applicable basin design, swales, etc. and a narrative. Additional details regarding erosion and sediment control can be found in the Unified Development Ordinance under section 12.3.

 

Single Family Lot Requirements

Individual residence lots are required to have a Town of Wake Forest Land Disturbance Permit if the disturbance is greater than .50 acre (21,780 square feet) or more in surface area. Single family lots being graded/built by the same builder/developer at the same time within the same subdivision, whether they are contiguous or non-contiguous, must obtain a Land Disturbance Permit if the total disturbance is .50 acre or more in surface area.

Each E&SC single family lot fee is $65/lot. This fee is paid in the IDT permit application and covers the cost of inspection and monitoring. Proof of NCGO1 coverage and an ESC Financial Security will be required before the Land Disturbance Permit is issued. Submit an application for a Land Disturbance Permit in IDT by selecting Submit New Planning Application > Land Disturbance Permit for Individual Lots. Please refer to the Individual Lot Plan Review Checklist for application requirements. 

Minimum Requirements for All Lots

Minimum erosion and sediment control measures for lots regardless of size include a construction entrance for each point of access, and a silt fence at the street front and at low sides prior to the initial footing inspection. Any land disturbance project that is under 0.50 acre requires silt fence on the low side of the lot and a construction entrance with 200 pound tensile strength woven fabric underneath. Additional details regarding erosion and sediment control can be found in the Unified Development Ordinance under section 12.3. 

Program Changes

The NCGO1 Permit changed effective April 1, 2019. NCDEQ developed a Final Fact Sheet describing the changes. 

FAQs

The E&SC permit fee for development is $500/acre rounded up to the nearest acre (1.1 acres rounded up is 2 acres * $500 = $1,000), as of March 1, 2018.

The E&SC permit fee for individual lots is $65/lot.